Two great Dorset charities to combine

Dorset Wildlife Trust and the Kingcombe Environmental Studies Centre have this week decided to come together to boost environmental education and participation in nature conservation in Dorset.

An important opportunity

Trustees of the charities see this as an important opportunity for two organisations with similar aims. Dorset Wildlife Trust has greatly expanded its educational work in recent years, helping many people of all walks of life to gain knowledge of and inspiration from nature and enjoy their local wildlife, some for the first time. The Kingcombe Environmental Studies Centre has built a national reputation as a centre of excellence for environmental studies especially for schools and also offers an engaging array of natural history, archaeology, craft and art courses throughout the year.

Conserving Dorset's natural heritage

The Kingcombe Environmental Studies Centre is sited within Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Kingcombe Meadows flagship nature reserve and the planned merger will enable many more people to learn about, enjoy and help to conserve this unique piece of Dorset’s natural heritage.

Improving facilities

By working together Dorset Wildlife Trust will help the Kingcombe Trust to improve facilities at Kingcombe, enabling the Centre to continue to provide quality courses in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and the Centre will expand Dorset Wildlife Trust’s education programme, particularly with schools.

Simon Cripps, Chief Executive at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said:

“Our educational programme has grown rapidly in recent years, becoming a cornerstone of the Trust, so we will be very happy to take on responsibility for the excellent work of the Kingcombe Environmental Studies Centre. This will greatly enhance our education activities throughout Dorset and in particular in west Dorset.”

Elizabeth West, Chair of the Kingcombe Trust, said:

“This is the ideal next stage in the development of the Kingcombe Environmental Studies Centre; building on our achievements of previous years and through Dorset Wildlife Trust taking the Centre to the next level.”

Something for everyone

The Kingcombe Environmental Studies Centre’s educational programme provides something for people of all ages and abilities, from day to week-long activity holidays. The Centre is renowned as a flagship for sustainability and for its friendly hospitality, scrumptious food and environmental guest accommodation. Further details of this year’s exciting courses and online bookings are available at: http://www.kingcombe.org

Simon Cripps added:

“You can enjoy yourself and get in touch with nature whilst learning more about natural history and the environment at the Kingcombe Environmental Studies Centre. Book a course today.”
 

For more information

Go to the Kingcombe Environmental Studies Centre website

Find out more about Kingcombe Meadows Reserve